Dr Rosemary Canavan is the Academic Dean of Catholic Theological College and a Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies. As a biblical scholar she champions visual exegesis and the use of sociorhetorical interpretation to elucidate New Testament texts in their ancient contexts and engage interdisciplinary methods such as art history, archaeology and numismatics.
Dr Canavan first graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology and Anthropology at University of Adelaide, then later returned to complete Bachelor of Theology with Honours and a PhD at Flinders University. Most recently she graduated with a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education from ACU. Her doctoral thesis is entitled “Clothing the Body of Christ at Colossae: a Visual Construction of Identity”.
Dr Canavan continues to pursue her research interests which focus on the ancient city of Colossae and the Letter to the Colossians, visual exegesis and the Pauline literature in the context of the Roman Empire. Currently her major projects are: (1) the writing of 1−2 Thessalonians Socio-rhetorical Exploration Commentary and, (2) Two book sections: “Remembered and Honoured: Women in the Lycus Valley” and “Unfolding Clothing in the Letter to the Colossians” for Lycus Valley, a volume in the series of New Documents Illustrating Early Christianity, edited by Professor James Harrison. Co-editors: Alan Cadwallader, Michael Trainor and Rosemary Canavan.
She currently teaches Letters of Paul, the Synoptic Gospels and is Coordinator of the Study Tour of the Biblical Lands. Previously she tutored and lectured in Theology and New Testament at the Adelaide College of Divinity, Department of Theology at Flinders University. Prior to this her career encompassed management, administration, training and employment services. She also has experience in working as a Pastoral Associate.
Dr Canavan is often invited to speak in parish and education contexts to elucidate the biblical texts and their relevance for today. A recent engagement was as keynote speaker at a Catholic Deanery gathering of around 60 participants in Camberwell entitled “Women in the Early Church: Implications for Today.”
Accredited teaching disciplines
Research areas
Positions
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Academic Dean and Senior Lecturer
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Deputy Chair, Academic Board
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Chair, Research Grants Committee
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External Member of College Academic Committee
External Affiliations
- Australian Catholic Biblical Association (President)
- Society of Biblical Literature (Member of Steering Committee for Numismatics and Biblical Interpretation program unit)
- Fellowship of Biblical Studies
- Society for the Study of Early Christianity